NOTICES OF HOOKS. xxxm 



apparently without bearing on function. The medical student of to-day, though he spends far 

 more time on so-called scientific study than his predecessors, yet is as a rule profoundly 

 ignorant of two subjects which would tend to give a living interest to his anatomical studies, 

 viz. , Embryology and Comparative Anatomy. Moreover, at the time he is learning his 

 Anatomy he as a rule possesses only a superficial knowledge of Physiology. What possible 

 interest then can he take in the study of Anatomy ? 



The writer of the present notice remembers with gratitude the help which the ' ' Collective 

 investigation Committee of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland " afforded him 

 during his dissecting-room days. Under the stimulus which the search for "abnormalities" 

 gave, all text-book statements were minutely investigated, and the discussion occasioned by 

 the discovery of an unusual point of structure made an indelible impression on the memory, 

 not only of the special abnormality present, but also of the more usual normal arrangement. 

 With a work such as that of Professor Weidersheim to set forth such abnormalities and to 

 describe and explain their significance, the impression made would have been even more 

 profound. 



Not only the human anatomist, however, but also the beginner in the study of comparative 

 anatomy will find the book useful, for, in the words of the preface, "such works awaken the 

 mind to the comparative method of inquiry, and to the higher educational and philosophic 

 issues to which it leads ". 



Any detailed criticism of the subject-matter of the book would be out of place here, seeing 

 that the original is already well known. It may, however, be well to state that amongst the 

 contents sections are devoted to the Integument and the Tegumental Organs, the Skeleton, the 

 Muscular System, Nervous System, Sense Organs, Alimentary Canal, and the Respiratory, 

 Circulatory and Urinogenital Systems. 



The translation throughout is especially well done, and, as is desirable in treating such a 

 subject, the text is profusely illustrated by excellent figures. 



By no means least amongst the advantages of the present edition must be ranked the 

 suggestive preface and valuable notes contributed by Professor Howes. 



The work should be widely known, as it serves to correlate the theories of modern science 

 with the facts of every-day experience. 



